Kicking the tires on a Chromebook purchase? As a cheaper alternative to a Windows laptop or a MacBook, a Chromebook is an attractive option for budget buyers. The simplicity of Google‘s Chrome OS, which is little more than its Chrome browser with a bit of window dressing (Windows dressing, if you will), is also a …

The Windows 10 Creators Update arrives April 11, and when it reaches your PC, you’ll have a new way to lock it when you get up to grab a cup of coffee, chat with co-workers, or otherwise leave your computer unattended. That’s because a new feature called Dynamic Lock can automatically lock your PC when your Bluetooth phone goes out …

It can be difficult to multitask on a Chromebook when each time you launch an app, it opens as yet another tab in Chrome. Even when you aren’t multitasking, this over-reliance on browser tabs can feel like a drag. Thankfully, there is a way to make apps in Chrome OS open in their own windows. Doing so not only makes …

In an effort to appear like more than just a browser, Chrome OS outfits you with a desktop that features familiar items along the bottom edge. The Launcher button in the bottom-left corner will immediately remind Windows users of the Start button. Akin to the Windows taskbar, Chrome OS has an app shelf where you can dock icons for your …

Chrome OS is a blissfully streamlined operating system that is easy to use. Keyboard shortcuts, however, can make navigating your Chromebook even easier. Here are the top dozen shortcuts. 1. Alt + Search One of the first things you’ll notice about a Chromebook’s keyboard is the caps-lock key has a magnifying glass on it. Instead of locking caps, this key …

Google can tell you if your house gets enough sunlight for you to go solar. Google launched Project Sunroof two years ago but it covered only San Francisco, Fresno and Boston. Now, it covers all 50 states, though not every inch of every state. According to Google, it has analyzed 60 million buildings and determined that 79 percent of rooftops …

LG’s latest flagship phone, the LG G6, has an official launch date of April 7, and many carriers are now taking preorders. The LG G6 ($150 at Amazon) packs a large 5.7-inch screen with a lanky 18:9 aspect ratio into a trim, nearly bezel-less design. It’s the first phone to feature Dolby Vision HDR, while around back you get two …

Now playing: Watch this: Your social apps are crushing your data plan 1:20 Curtailing your phone use as you near your data cap at the end of each month is no way to live. A better way is to stop data-hungry apps from using too much data in the first place. The apps that use the most data typically are …

When things go sideways with Windows, there’s Ctrl-Alt-Delete to get you to the Task Manager where you can investigate what’s causing the problem and end any unresponsive apps. When something goes wrong on a Mac, there’s Command-Option-Escape to call up the Force Quit Applications window. But when an app freezes or starts acting sluggish on a Chromebook, where do you …

MacOS lets you set a time for how long your MacBook‘s display stays on during a period of inactivity before it shuts off to reduce energy usage and increase battery life. You’ll find a slider that goes from 1 minute to Never in the Energy Saver panel of System Preferences. There’s a slider for when you are running on battery …